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The haunting recollection of bloodshed on a distant battlefield. The memories of watching a parent die in their bed.

What if there was a way to make life's worst moments fade quicker?

In different degrees, the mind does this naturally.

Now, researchers at MIT have pinpointed the gene, Tet1, responsible for showing unwanted memories the door, paving the way for exorcising our demons through science.

And yes, in a plotline similar to the 2004 Jim Carrey movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, or G.O.B. Bluth’s dependence on “Forget-Me-Now” pills in Arrested Development, that could mean popping a pill to dissolve our haunted psyche

Tet1, the MIT study found, helps control natural memory extinction.

The paper's co-author, Andrii Rudenko, says researchers used mice that had their Tet1 gene "knocked out."

They found those mice retained bad memories — in this case, a metal box that had previously delivered a mild shock, but was no longer a threat.

Mice with normal Tet1 learned not to distrust it any more.

Rudenko tells QMI Agency this could lead to treatments for post-traumatic stress.

As for popping a pill to delete old emotions, he reasons: "I am not sure but why not?

"For example, this pill may be in form of some sort of pharmacological activator of Tet1 protein. I just think that such pill — if ever developed — may still be used in conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapy."

He said no single pill will erase all sad memories. But science may one day be able, with a therapist, raise a nagging recollection and try to target just that one haunting.